Combined lint filter and dispenser for washing substances in automatic washing machins



April 16, 1963 P. w. DOUGLAS 3,085,418

COMBINED LINT FILTER AND DISPENSER FOR WASHING SUBSTANCES IN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed July 19, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 "uh, i H H um 35% 3 i Ii I I I, I ,np. III

1" i H l l 1- I vi .mllli MENTOR m ro/v H/ D00C7LA BY @w ATTORNEY Aprll 1963 P. w. DOUGLAS 3,085,418

COMBINED LINT FILTER AND DISPENSER FOR WASHING SUBSTANCES IN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed July 19, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 4 QEYTOA/ 11/ 0006449 ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 3,085,418 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 3,li85,418 CQMBINED LINT FlLTER AND DISPENSER FGR WASHING SUBSTANCES EN AUTOMATEC WASH- lNG MACHWES Peyton W. Douglas, Lakewood, N.Y., assignor to Blackstone (Iorporation, Jamestown, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed .luly 19, 1962, Ser. No. 210,995 6 (Ilaims. (Cl. 63-17) This invention relates to automatic washing machines wherein clothes are washed and centrifugally dried in a single tub-like receptacle. In particular, the invention is directed to a device which functions, during a complete washing operation, to filter out foreign matter and as an initial depository for a washing detergent :and clothes or fabric conditioner.

As home laundering has become increasingly available and popular, it has become necessary to improve the washing results without possibility of damage or deterioration t-o clothes or fabrics and, at the same time and to some extent, renovate or improve the general condition of the clothes or fabrics so treated. To this end, the present invention provides a device that will contain suitable deter gent, allow it to mix in diluted form with the washing liquid and in a cycle subsequent to an actual washing cycle, release and dispense a solution intended to improve the quality of the washed material.

One purpose and object of the invention is to provide a device mountable on the upper end of an agitator that will contain and disseminate a washing detergent and tabric conditioner in an appropriate state of dilution at des ignated intervals during a complete washing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an agitator mounted lint trap for use in a washing machine equipped with a liquid circulation system whereby the washing liquid is constantly filtered during a washing operation.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an agitator mounted lint trap that will contain and dispense a suitable detergent through the bottom perforations thereof into the washing receptacle during liquid circulation.

Another important object of the invention lies in the provision of an agitator mounted device that will contain and hold a wash conditioner solution through one or more washing cycles and dispense such solution automatically into the receptacle and in diluted form during :a further cycle of the washing operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; and in which FIG. 1 is a front view of a cabinet type automatic washing machine in which one form of the inventive device is embodied; cabinet, tank and tub walls being suitably broken away to show the location and use of the device;

FIG. 2 is a top plan View of the machine showing the device in position of use as seen through the conventional clothes receiving opening;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the device, being taken substantially on the line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device.

Reference is now particularly had to the drawings wherein the numeral It is employed to designate a oa-binet in which the general structure or" an automatic washer is shown. Briefly, the washer includes a tank 11 within which is a receptacle or tub l2. Directly beneath the receptacle is a mechanism 13 which, during a washing operation, serves to selectively rotate the receptacle and oscillate the agitator 14 contained therein. As is common, the

agitator consists of suitably sized and arranged blades 16 which are canried by an upstanding post 17. The upper end of the post 17 is terminated by a radially, inwardly, beveled area 18 which in turn is topped by a cap 19. The receptacle l2 and mechanism 13 are supported through a tubular member 21 and inverted cone-like structure 22, supported on the cabinet base 23. This support for the receptacle, as may be seen in FIG. 1, is located beneath the bottom wall of the tank 11. A tank drain 24 leads to a pump 26 which is operated by a motor, indicated at 27. Leading away from the pump is a conduit 28 which preferably terminates in a somewhat widened or flat nozzle 2,9. This nozzle projects through an apron 31 that depends from the top access opening 32 in the cabinet. This pump is bi-directional in operation and rotates in one direction during an agitation cycle to continuously circulate liquid from tank to receptacle and in the opposite direction to discharge liquid during a spin drying cycle; a further conduit 3-3 being provided for this latter purpose.

It is proposed to mount the device, generally indicated at 34, on the upper end of the post 17 of the agitator 14. Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, the device consists of a hollow center or hub 36, open from the under face thereof to provide a receiving opening 37 for the end portion of the agitator post 17. To assure an appropriate fit,

the lower portion of the hub 36 is defined by an annular vertical wall 38 to which a resilient lining 39 is bonded. This lining, when the device is applied to the agitator post, has a press fit with the larger upper end of the agitator. The opening 37, as may be seen, continues in an annular configuration that corresponds to and receives the post area 18 and post cap 19.

What may be considered as an upper continuation of the wall 38 is a ring-like wall 40 which, being spaced from the upper portion of the hub 38, combines therewith to create a circular trough 41, the base wall being inclined land conforming to the beveled area 18 of the agitator post. Extending radially outwardly from the annular wall 38, and at the lower edge thereof, is a bottom 42 of that portion of the device that serves as a lint filter or trap. This bottom is perforated, and for the sake of rigidity, may in clude radial ribs 43. The perimeter of the bottom 42 is defined by a solid vertical wall 44- which terminates in an inturned, downwardly inclined rim 46 that may be finished by a depending flange 4-7. The entire device has the general appearance of a pan, having :a vertical circumferential side wall and a center post or hub. As viewed in FIG. 3, the top edge of the wall 44 is at a predetermined horizontal distance below the edge of the wall 40 that forms a part of the trough 41. The purpose of this will be fully understood from the following description of the device and its functioning and use in an automatic washing machine during a washing operation.

The usual procedure in washing machines to which the invention is applicable is to place the appropriate amount of clothes in the receptacle. Following this, the present devicenamely, a combined lint filter and dispenser-is mounted on the agitator post. At this time, a suitable detergent, in powder or crystal form, is measured and placed on the perforated bottom 42. It is next necessary, in order to take full advantage of the invention, to pour a solution, known as a fabric conditioner, into the trough 41. Following this, the machine is set for automatic operation which, of course, in its first stage, means filling the receptacle with liquid. The receptacle fills to a point of over-flow through openings 48, high in the receptacle rim. This causes a certain amount of the liquid to collect in the tank 11 that encloses the receptacle 12. When the tank contents reach a certain level, a water pressure switch (not shown) starts the motor 27 to rotate in a direction that will effect oscillation of the agitator 14. At the same time, the pump 26 is started and causes liquid to be pumped from the tank through the nozzle 29 and into the device. This nozzle is so disposed and directed that it projects a flat stream of liquid into that portion of the device having the perforated bottom .2. -.As a matter of fact, the liquid actually strikes the vertical Wall 3% of the hub 36, and does not, by reason of the relatively high ring-like wall at enter the trough 41. This stream liquifies and dilutes the detergent which then passes through the perforated bottom 42 into the receptacle and is immediately blended with the liquid in the receptacle by reason of the fact that the agitator is in operation.

Although the device constituting the invention is mounted on the agitator post and obviously oscillates therewith during a washing cycle, the density of the conditioner liquid in the trough 41, as well as the trough contour, prevents its being disturbed to the extent that it would slop out over the wall 40 into the outer part of the dispenser during agitator oscillation and thereby drip or drain through the perforated wall 42 into the washing receptacle.

Inasmuch as liquid is constantly spilling out of the receptacle through openings 48 into the tank and being returned to the receptacle by the pump through the filter device, dirt and lint particles loosened by the washing action of the agitator are trapped in the filter. At the conclusion or this washing cycle, liquid circulation stops and the agitator becomes stationary or one with the receptacle, and through suitable mechanism, indicated at 13, the receptacle is raised. The receptacle now commences a second cycle of the washing operation; namely, spin drying. The receptacle is rotated and by the time it has approached full rotational speed, the bulk of liquid has been centrifugally removed from the receptacle through the openings 4%. Continued rotation at full speed completes desired drying of the clothes. Also, by the time the receptacle has attained full rotational speed, the liquid contained in the trough 4+1 has moved upwardly and outwardly thereof over the wall til, being caught against the wall 44 of the filter portion of the device. This liquid cannot move upwardly and out of this portion due to the inturned rim 46. Consequently, the conditioner liquid, throughout the spinning cycle, adheres centrifugally to the wall 44 and tends to move upwardly of this wall toward the inturned rim 46. When the spinning operation is completed, the receptacle again seats on its support and is filled for the next cycle, which is a rinsing cycle.

Liquid again enters the receptacle through a suitable conduit to a point where it overflows through the openings 48 into the tank. During this very short period of filling the receptacle, the low viscosity conditioner has slowly moved downward along the wall 4 4 and commenced spreading onto the perforated bottom 42. Here again, when the receptacle has been filled and the tank filled to actuate the pressure switch, the motor starts and the agitator commences to oscillate. It is to be kept in mind that until the receptacle is again filled the clothes are still adhered to the receptacle side wall and, in consequence, any of the conditioner, still in concentrated form that might penetrate the wall 42, will only come in contact with the washing liquid collecting in the receptacle bottom. Of course, at this time the pump operates and causes liquid to again be pumped from the tank through the nozzle 29 into the filter device. The liquid, as it initially enters the device, so dilutes the slow flowing conditioner that it readily passes through the perforated bottom 42 of the filter into the receptacle and becomes fully mixed with the rinse water and clothes during the second agitation period which is termed a wash rinse. Following the wash rinse cycle, the receptacle again raises and after a second spinning cycle, the clothes washing operation is completed. In some instances controlled by the automatic mechanism of the machine, further rinse and spin dry cycles may be-contemplated. The lint filter device may now be removed, thus giving full access to the interior of the receptacle and enabling removal of the washed, conditioned, and dried clothes.

Although applicant has shown and described only one form of his invention as applied to the agitator post of a washing machine, it will be evident that the size of the lint trap portion of the device may be varied in accordance with different size washing machine clothes receptacles and, further, that the trough-like receiver for a material conditioner may be modified as to size and depth so long as the above described washing functions are capable of taking place and, therefore, any such changes or modifications are considered as being within the spirit and scope of the invention insofar as they are set out in the annexed claims.

having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for use in a washing machine having a clothes containing receptacle, an agitator in said receptacle and conduit and pump means for the circulation and drainage of washing liquid, said device comprising a circular dish-like member having a substantially flat perforated bottom, a continuous solid side wall substantially perpendicular to said bottom and extending therearound, an inwardly directed rim defining the upper edge of said side wall, a hub extending upwardly from said bottom, an annular wall cooperating with said hub to form a circular trough, said annular wall being of greater height than the side wall of said member, said conduit and pump means servin to cause liquid to circulate through said receptacle via said device whereby to screen out foreign particles released during a washing operation.

2. A device for aiding in the cleansing of clothes in a washing machine having a clothes receptacle, an agitator in said receptacle having an upstanding post portion and conduit and pump means for selective circulation and drainage of washing liquid with respect to said receptacle, said device comprising a circular dish-like member having a perforated bottom marginally defined by a continuous upstanding solid side wall, an upstanding hub in the center of said bottom having a downwardly opening pocket for mounting on the post portion of said agitator, fluid container means on said hub extending above the height of said solid side wall, said conduit and pump means serving to circulate washing liquid through said receptacle via said device and to discharge fluid from said container means through said perforated bottom.

3. The combination with a machine for Washing articles of clothing with a liquid and provided with a receptacle for such clothing, an agitator arranged to oscillate in said receptacle, of a device for aiding in washing articles of clothing removably engaged with the upper end of said agitator, said device comprising a circular member having a perforated bottom marginally defined by a solid side wall of predetermined height, a central portion rising from said bottom having an annular trough for containing fluid, the rim of said trough extending above said side wall, a conduit and pump means for circulating washing liquid through said receptacle via said device, a nozzle on said conduit being angled to project the liquid into the device beneath said trough whereby fluid contained therein remains undiluted during a part of the washing operation.

4. A device for use in a washing machine having a rotatable clothes containing receptacle, an agitator arranged to oscillate within said receptacle and including an up standing post, said machine including conduit and pump means for the circulation and drainage of washing liquid, said device comprising a circular dish-like member having a perforated bottom, a hollow hub extending upwardly from said bottom providing a recess for receiving and being engaged with said post, a continuous solid side Wall extending upwardly from said bottom and terminating in an inturned rim, and a circular liquid receiving trough on said hub, said conduit and pump means serving to circulate liquid through said receptacle via said device whereby to enable said device to assist in a clothes washbecome diluted and dispensed through said perforated ing operation. bottom by operation of said pump means when rotation 5. A device for use in a Washing machine as claimed has ceased.

in claim 4, wherein the height of the troughs outer wall- V requires fluid contained therein to move into that portion Refeiences Cited in the file 0f thls Patent of said device having the perforated bottom during ro- UNITED STATES PATENTS tation of said receptacle.

6. A device for use in a washing machine as claimed in E3222; gj

cla1m 5, wherein the trough fluid trapped against the S01ld 2,983,130 Finder May 9, 1961 side wall of said device during receptacle rotation may 10 

1. A DEVICE FOR USE IN A WASHING MACHINE HAVING A CLOTHES CONTAINING RECEPTACLE, AN AGITATOR IN SAID RECEPTACLE AND CONDUIT AND PUMP MEANS FOR THE CIRCULATION AND DRAINAGE OF WASHING LIQUID, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A CIRCULAR DISH-LIKE MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT PERFORATED BOTTOM, A CONTINUOUS SOLID SIDE WALL SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID BOTTOM AND EXTENDING THEREAROUND, AN INWARDLY DIRECTED RIM DEFINING THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID SIDE WALL, A HUB EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BOTTOM, AN ANNULAR WALL COOPERATING WITH SAID HUB TO FORM A CIRCULAR TROUGH, SAID ANNULAR WALL BEING OF GREATER HEIGHT THAN THE SIDE WALL OF SAID MEMBER, SAID CONDUIT AND PUMP MEANS SERVING TO CAUSE LIQUID TO CIRCULATE THROUGH SAID RECEPTACLE VIA SAID DEVICE WHEREBY TO SCREEN OUT FOREIGN PARTICLES RELEASED DURING A WASHING OPERATION. 